The Baltimore Ravens or the Kansas City Chiefs may pursue former Pro Bowler, Kwon Alexander. According to a report, it doesn’t look like the team needs starting outside linebacker help but some insurance policy would probably help. Trenton Simpson is ready to take on a huge this upcoming season but it may be safe to add a veteran behind him to help assist the linebacker corps. It would be poetic justice if Alexander lands with the Ravens considering Patrick Queen is in Pittsburgh now.
A return to the Steelers is unlikely since the group already has Queen coming in alongside drafting Payton Wilson to bolster the position. However, the veteran spent some of last season with the Steelers before suffering a torn Achilles. He was able to notch 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in last year’s 2023 campaign. It’s unclear what kind of production he can provide now but he’s a good rotational pass rusher for a team that needs some quick help.
The track record of injuries and age should allow a team like the Ravens to land him on a team-friendly contract without taking so much salary cap. It’s a bargain the Ravens should probably consider since the Steelers were able to bring in one of the former Ravens’ best linebackers to their roster. No one should be surprised if the Ravens stick it to the Steelers by signing Alexander to see what he could in the mix. Roquan Smith on the team is one of the best linebackers in the league so Alexander coming in to fortify Simpson into a replica of that would mean business.
Alexander’s best game comes through coverage which is something the Ravens probably need. Here are some other potential destinations for Alexander.
Jim Harbaugh has been putting all of his attention on restructuring the offense. It may be time for him to add some help to improve the linebacker corps. The Chargers surprisingly were able to bring back Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa on restructured deals but nothing lasts anymore. They need to get serious about thinking about the future of this defense because Bosa and Mack are only going to get more expensive. They’re being generous now so they should use this opportunity this offseason to make one last move at the linebacker position.
Alexander is one of those coverage-type linebackers who can step in to help stop the pass to tight ends on certain drives. He isn’t fast anymore but he’s a better-than-nothing cheap package that could still go on the rotation to stop the rush of offenses. They’ve been able to bring in Stephon Gilmore for a talk but nothing has been escalating towards a deal for him. Alexander isn’t a cornerback but he provides that extra support to possibly stop those quick slant plays.
Guys like Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal and Nick Bolton are going to earn bigger roles this upcoming season. However, they don’t have any veteran experience to help reinforce this group. The Chiefs are lacking proven experience to help bolster the position especially since they already lost cornerback, L’Jarius Sneed. He wasn’t a linebacker but Alexander offers coverage at his feet and he could provide on week one if the Chiefs bring in to see how he could fit in this system.
